The increasing demand for fish and fishery products in the domestic and international markets has created promising opportunities for coastal nations to increase the share of the fisheries and aquaculture industry in their national economies. To sustainably benefit from these opportunities, it is necessary to optimize the production from fisheries and aquaculture industry without over-exploiting their resource base. For development of fisheries and aquaculture in Sri Lanka, new investments need to be fostered. One of the basic requirements to build-up the confidence of local and foreign investors to invest in the sector, is to have a stable national fisheries and aquaculture policy in place that conforms to the general economic and social development policy of the Government. It is also necessary to ensure that the development and management of the sector conforms to the requirements stipulated in regional and international treaties on conservation and management of fisheries resources.
In this context, the Fisheries Sector of the Ministry of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Development and Rural Economy, in association with the departments and agencies under its purview has formulated the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy presented in this document, after a comprehensive consultation process. The Fisheries and Aquaculture Department of the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries under a bilateral co-operation agreement has provided advisory services for development of the Policy.
For more Information : Download the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy.
